A shared shuttle is a seat in a van with other travelers heading the same direction. You are dropped at your resort after two to four other stops, and you pay per person rather than for the whole vehicle. It is the cheapest way to get from Los Cabos International Airport to your hotel, and for a solo traveller or a couple it usually makes sense.
This page covers what the shuttle actually costs, how long you wait, what you can bring, and when a private transfer is the better call. If you would rather have the price first, enter your destination on the booking page and you will get an exact figure for your resort.
What a shared shuttle costs
Shared shuttle seats run from $14 to $37 per person each way, depending on how far your hotel sits from the airport. San José del Cabo is $19 per person each way. Hotels along the Corridor and out toward Cabo San Lucas cost more because the drive is longer.
We do not publish a full price table here for a simple reason. Rates are set by destination, and there are over 300 of them. Punching your hotel into the booking form takes ten seconds and gives you the real number instead of a range you have to guess inside of.
Private transfers are priced per vehicle, not per person. One flat rate whether there are two of you or five. That matters once your group grows, and there is a comparison further down.
What is included?
- A professional, federally licensed driver
- An air-conditioned vehicle
- One carry-on plus one standard suitcase per person
- Pickup at the airport terminals
- Drop-off at your resort gate entrance or lobby
One note on that last point. Shared shuttles drop at the security gate of private and gated communities rather than the front door, because the other passengers on board are not registered to enter. Some resorts are a short walk in from the gate. If your accommodation is a villa or a vacation rental down an unmarked road, a private transfer is the realistic option.
What is not allowed on a shared shuttle
- Golf bags, surfboards and bicycles
- Oversized or extra luggage beyond the one bag and one carry-on
- Car seats
- Pets
- Grocery stops, retail stops, detours or any added stop
None of these are arbitrary. The van is sold seat by seat and runs a fixed route, so there is no spare space for a board bag and no room in the schedule for a supermarket run. Every one of these is available on a private transfer.
The Wait and the Stops
Expect to wait 20 to 60 minutes at the airport after you check in with our representative. In busy conditions it will not be longer than an hour. That wait is the van filling with other passengers heading toward the same part of the coast.
Once you are moving, a typical run makes two to four hotel stops. We group passengers by how close their hotels are to each other so the stops stay tight, but we cannot promise you will be the first drop or the last. The main highway has very few places to turn around, so the route is built around the road rather than around who booked first.
If you are the final stop on a long route, the ride can take 90 minutes or more. If that would be a problem after a long flight, book private.
Shared Shuttle or Private Transfer
| Shared shuttle | Private transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Priced | Per person, each way | Per vehicle, flat rate |
| Wait at airport | 20 to 60 minutes | None, the driver waits for you |
| Stops | 2 to 4 before yours | Direct |
| Drop-off | Resort gate entrance | Front door |
| Luggage | 1 carry-on plus 1 suitcase per person | Generous, vehicle dependent |
| Car seats | Not permitted | Available on request |
| Grocery stop | Not available | Available, roughly $25 for 30 minutes |
| Sports gear | Not permitted | Available, may need a larger vehicle |
| Pets | Not permitted | Permitted, conditions apply |
Private vehicles and what they hold: SUV up to 5, Mini Van up to 7, Van up to 9, Limo up to 9, Sprinter up to 17 with luggage, and a coach bus up to 42. Each is one flat price, so the cost per head drops with every passenger you add.
Where the Shared Shuttle Runs
The main shared route covers the Pacific side, from Diamante, Hard Rock and Nobu, through the Corridor, and across to Puerto Los Cabos in San José del Cabo. Everything in between is served.
We also run shared shuttles further out, to Todos Santos, Cerritos, Pescadero, Los Barriles and La Paz. These work differently and it is worth knowing before you book. They use central pickup and drop-off points rather than taking you to your door.
That distinction matters more than it sounds. Most people heading to Todos Santos are staying at a villa, and the shuttle only reaches town. Onward taxis there are scarce. Los Barriles has the same problem. La Paz drops you downtown, where taxis are easier to find.
Our honest advice on the long routes: if there are two or more of you, a private transfer is usually the better deal. The seat price looks lower, but once you add the onward taxi and the time spent sorting it out at the other end, the saving mostly disappears and you have had a longer day for it.
Traveling with Children
Every child needs their own paid seat with their own seatbelt. That is the law, not a pricing decision. Children cannot ride on a lap to save a fare.
Car seats are not permitted on shared shuttles at all. If you are travelling with an infant or a toddler who needs a restraint, you need a private transfer. We provide infant, toddler and booster seats on private vehicles, and you are welcome to bring your own. Request the seat when you book so it is fitted before you land.
Hours and Late Arrivals
Shared shuttles run from around 7am to 6pm, and the window shifts a little with the season. When flight volume supports it, later shuttles do run.
If you are landing at 9pm on your own, though, a shuttle is not going to work. A van cannot run for one seat that late, so those arrivals go private. Discounts are available on evening private transfers, so ask rather than assuming it will be expensive.
The 72-Hour Departure Rule
Arrival shuttles can be booked any time, including the same day you land, subject to a seat being free.
Departure shuttles booked on their own need 72 hours of notice. This is a government permit requirement and no shuttle operator in Los Cabos can get around it. If you call the night before your flight home hoping to grab a seat, the answer will be no, and you will be booking a private transfer instead.
The simple fix is to book the round trip when you book your arrival. It costs less than two one-ways, it locks in your return, and it takes the 72-hour rule off the table entirely.
Most reservations can be cancelled up to 72 hours before service for a refund, less a $5 USD processing fee. That is a separate rule from the departure booking window, and both apply. One exception: La Paz, Todos Santos and Los Barriles tickets are final sale. They cannot be refunded, rescheduled or transferred to another person.
Common Questions About Cabo Airport Shuttles
How much is a shared shuttle from Cabo airport?
From $14 to $37 per person each way, set by your destination. San José del Cabo is $19 per person each way. Enter your hotel on the booking page for the exact rate.
How long will I wait at the airport?
20 to 60 minutes while the van fills, and no longer than an hour even at the busiest times.
Can I bring a car seat on a shared shuttle?
No. Car seats are only available on private transfers. Every child still needs their own paid seat and belt on any vehicle.
Can the shuttle stop at a supermarket on the way?
No. Grocery stops are a private transfer service, at roughly $25 for a 30-minute stop.
Can I bring my surfboard, bike or golf clubs?
Not on a shared shuttle. Sports gear travels on private transfers, and larger items may need a bigger vehicle. Tell us when you book so the right van is sent.
Will the shuttle take me to my Airbnb?
It will take you to the gate of a gated community, not to the door of a rental. For villas and vacation rentals, book private.
Can I book my departure shuttle the day before I fly?
No. Departure shuttles booked separately need 72 hours because of the permit rule. Book your return at the same time as your arrival and it is handled.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
We track the flight number you give us at booking and adjust your pickup to your actual landing time. We also allow time for immigration, luggage and customs. If you expect to be inside the terminal more than 45 minutes after landing, call us.
Do you track my departure flight too?
No. For departures we go by the flight time you entered at booking. We email you the day before with your pickup details, so check that it is still right and use the reservation update form if anything has changed. Custom pickup times outside your scheduled window are not available on shared shuttles.
Where do I meet my driver?
Exit the airport completely, then report to the umbrella or canopy number in your confirmation email. On a private transfer a concierge will be holding an SJD Taxi sign with your name. If the person meeting you is not clearly branded SJD Taxi at your assigned point, you are looking at a different company.
How much is a car seat?
$15 USD each, each way, on private transfers only. Baby, toddler or boosters are available. Add it at checkout so the right seat is fitted before you land.
How do I pay?
We are cashless. All major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App and Klarna are accepted online. No cash changes hands at pickup.
Are there hidden fees?
No. The quoted price is what you pay. The only additions are any add-ons you choose, such as a car seat or a grocery stop and $5 if cancelled within the 72-hour policy.
Can I change my booking after I make it?
Yes. Use the reservation update form to change your date, time, flight number or destination. It keeps a written record so nothing gets lost.
Is a round trip cheaper than two one-ways?
On private transfers, yes. A round trip booked as one reservation is discounted against two separate bookings. Choose Round Trip in the quote box to see the combined price.
What is the last shuttle of the day?
It shifts with the day of the week, the season and your destination, so there is no single cutoff. Call us with your flight details and we will tell you whether you will make it.
Do you handle groups, weddings and activity transfers?
Yes. Round-trip transfers to marina fishing charters, weddings and large groups, using Sprinter vans up to 17 passengers or coach buses up to 42. Send us your group size and schedule for a custom plan.
Can I speak to a person?
Yes. Live chat is staffed by real people during business hours, and the phone numbers at the top of any page reach us directly.